BLUE-GREEN ALGAL BLOOM WEEKLY UPDATE Reporting August 9 - 15, 2019

SUMMARY There were 20 reported site visits in the past week (8/09 - 8/15) with all 20 site visits resulting in samples collected. Algal bloom conditions were observed by the samplers at only 9 of those sites.

NOAA satellite imagery for continues to indicate medium bloom potential, with approximately 20% coverage in the northeastern portion of the lake. Imagery of estuaries has been obscured by cloud cover, but there have not been any reports of blooms. South Flor-ida Water Management District collected samples at the S79 and S308C structures on 8/12. No algae was visible at the S79 structure, but patches of algae were visible at S308C at the time of sampling. No toxins were detected at the S79 structure and only trace levels of microcystins (0.39 parts per billion) were detected at the S308C structure. On 8/15, DEP visited two locations on Lake Okeechobee (Lake O North, and Lake O West, sample results pending) and did not observe any algal blooms; however, the conditions were rough, and the water was well mixed. The South Water Management District will be performing sampling on Lake Okeechobee next week in areas with the highest bloom potential.

St. Johns River Water Management District staff observed a bloom on Crescent Lake on 8/12 where they collected samples at the Crescent Lake Boat Ramp and Crescent Lake Near Dunns Creek. Low levels of microcystins (0.56 ppb), cylindrospermopsin (0.21 ppb), and saxitoxin (0.36 ppb) were detected at the boat ramp, while only low levels of cylindrospermopsin (0.18 ppb) and saxitoxin (estimated value of 0.47 ppb) were detected Near Dunns Creek. Satellite imagery of the St. Johns River continues to show no bloom potential. St. Johns River Water Management District staff surveyed the river from to Doctors Lake on 8/14 and collected samples at Racy Point, Watson Island, Shands Bridge, and the Center of Doctors Lake (analytical results pending). DEP staff visited Lake Washington on 8/15 and found no visible algal bloom on the whole lake. A water sample collected near the drinking water facility intake found no detectable toxins. St. Johns River Water Management District staff will visit Lake Washington again on Monday the 8/19.

Algae continues to be observed in Ft. Lauderdale canals and along the New River. DEP collected samples collected at the New River Canal Boat Ramp and Canal at 16th Street Bridge on 8/12. These samples were dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and had non-detect and 11.06 parts per billion microcystins, respectively. The 16th Street Bridge location was revisited by DEP staff on 8/15, as well as sites East of Bill Keith Preserve Park and at Hendricks Bridge (analytical results pending).

This is a high-level summary of the sampling events for the reported week. For all field visit and analytical result details, please refer the complete algal bloom map with data table by clicking the “Field and Lab Details” Quick Link from the Algal Bloom Dashboard. Different types of blue-green algal bloom species can look different and have different impacts. However, regardless of species, many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins that can make you or your pets sick if swallowed or possibly cause skin and/or eye irritation due to contact. We advise to stay out of water where algae is visibly present as specks, mats or water is discolored pea-green, blue-green or brownish-red. Additionally, pets or livestock should not come into contact with the algal bloom-impacted water, or the algal bloom material or fish on the shoreline. LAKE OKEECHOBEE OUTFLOWS SITE VISITS FOR BLUE-GREEN ALGAE As of August 15, 2019 Algal Bloom Observed

Yes (11)

No (9)

Satellite Imagery provided by NOAA - Images are impacted by cloud-cover

Caloosahatchee Estuary Lake Okeechobee St. Lucie Estuary St. Johns August 15, 2019 August 15, 2019 August 15, 2019 August 15, 2019 REPORTS FROM HOTLINE REPORT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES REPORT ALGAL BLOOMS 33 HUMAN ILLNESS SALTWATER BLOOM FRESHWATER BLOOM 29 August 9 - 15 Florida Poison Control Centers can • Observe stranded wildlife • Observe an algal bloom in August 2 - 8 be reached 24/7 at 800-222-1222 or a fish kill a lake or freshwater river (DOH provides grant funding to • Information about red tide • Information about blue- the Florida Poison Control Centers) and other saltwater algal green algal blooms blooms 16 OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS July 26- 11 August 1 CONTACT DOH CONTACT FWC CONTACT DEP July 19 - 25 (DOH county office) 800-636-0511 (fish kills) 855-305-3903 888-404-3922 (wildlife Alert) (to report freshwater blooms) FloridaHealth.gov/ all-county-locations.html MyFWC.com/RedTide FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom

Learn more about Florida’s Algal Bloom Monitoring and Response at FloridaDEP.gov/AlgalBloom